No one expected Damon Stoudamire to turn the Georgia Tech basketball program around right away.
The Yellow Jackets have been to just one NCAA Tournament since 2011, typically sitting near the bottom of the standings in the ACC – which included going a combined 11-29 the past two years in conference play.
However, after back-to-back losses to UMass Lowell and Cincinnati, coach Stoudamire picked up a signature win on Tuesday at home against the No. 22 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs – never trailing in a 67-59 victory during the ACC/SEC challenge.
Neither team was particularly efficient from the field but Tech was able to win the battle on the boards and converted 17 of their 23 free throw attempts.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs went 7-30 from beyond the arc and had just five assists and 13 turnovers, which allowed Georgia Tech to post a 16-5 advantage in points off turnovers.
Stoudamire added freshman guard Naithan George to the starting lineup for the first time in this contest, and he responded with 11 points, four rebounds, and an assist while complimenting leading scorer Miles Kelly, who dropped 22 with 12 rebounds and an assist.
“I’ve been seeing him coming and playing well for a long time,” Stoudamire said of George, per ESPN. “He’s wore on me. I like the way he plays. I like the way guys play with him. … I know there’s going to be ups and downs. I’m OK with that.”
The Yellow Jackets will have another opportunity for a huge win on Saturday when they host No. 7 Duke. The tip-off is set for 2:15 p.m. ET.